CTL Strategies ranked by Asia Law Profiles as a leading tax law firm in the Maldives
The Asia Law Profiles have ranked CTL Strategies as the leading law firm in the areas of taxation in the Maldives. It has also recognized us as the highly recommended firm in the areas of litigation and disputes.
The team at CTL Strategies has been praised by their clients as “dedicated and professional” in representing them in foreign investment and, cross-border taxation matters. The firm has a notably stellar reputation amongst local and multinational businesses in the Maldives, for managing and handling tax controversies and corporate litigation.
President Ratifies Act on Control of Agricultural Pesticides
On 9 December 2019, the President ratified the Control of Pesticides Used for Agricultural Purposes Act. The Act introduces a broad framework for the import, export, trade of agricultural pesticides, and also introduces search and seizure, and specific offences and penalties committed under the Act.
The Control of Pesticides Act states that only persons licensed under the Act will be permitted to engage in the creation, import, export, trade and repackaging of pesticides in the Maldives. Further, the Act also states that a register containing all pesticides permitted for creation, use, trade, import, export, as permitted by the Ministry, and compiled in accordance with the Act, must be published in the Gazette. The Act also states specific measures for the labelling, safe storage, and transport of pesticides.
The Act further gives power to the Ministry to conduct inpsections, and search and seizure to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations. Non-compliant persons who carry on with the import, export, trade or repackaging or pesticides under the Act, or persons who commit any other offences specified under the Act face steep civil penalties.
The Act also states that transitional provisions are to be followed for pesticides which are not contained in the Registry of Authorized Pesticides. According to the transitional provisions, no requisition orders must be placed for pesticides which are not on the Registry, and pesticides which are not on the list must not be imported/exported, 2 months after the publication of the Registry. Further, the sale of such pesticides must cease 3 months from the publication of the Registry, and use of pesticides not found on the registry shall be prohibited, 12 months after publication of the registry.
The Act shall commence 6 months from the date of publishing in the Gazette.
Fifth Amendment to the Maldives Constitution Ratified
On 8 December 2019, the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives was published in the Government Gazette. The Amendment introduces some important changes to the local council electoral process.
The Amendment amends subsections (a), (b) and (c) of Article 231 of the Constitution – Election of Councils. Subsection 231(a) deals with the composition of the Members of Councils in each administrative district. According to the Amendment, Island Council Members and City Council Members are to be elected by conducting elections in which constituents of the district will cast their vote. Under subsection 231(a)(3), the Council of an administrative district will be comprised of the Presidents of the Local Island Councils and President of the Atoll Council.
Further, subsection 231(b) has been amended so that Presidents of Island Councils and Mayors of City Councils will be elected by the constituents of their respective constituency. The Amendment also indicates, as per subsection 231(c), the term for all elected councils will be 5 (five) years.
The Amendment states that the composition of the councils, and other changes introduced under the Amendment must be implemented in the next council elections.